Preset pressure can for frozen food or the like



Dec. 14, 1943.

R. L0 VlCO 2,336,490

PRE-SET PRESSURE. CAN FOR FROZEN FOOD OR THE LIKE Filed July 25., 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Rasariolo Vice W V ATTORNEY R. LO VlCO Dec. 14, 1943.

FREE-SET PRESSURE CAN FORJFROZEN FOOD OR THE LIKE Filed July 25, 1940 ,2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W NZ?- R V.w w A 2 m t atented Dec. 14, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Rosario Lo Vico, Astoria, Long Island, N.Y.-

Application July 25, 1940, Serial No. 347,368

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a pre-set pressure can for frozen foods or the like.

The invention proposes a construction of a can as mentioned which is characterized by a can intended to be hermetically sealed and having a wall formed with an opening, and a sharp prong adjacent said opening and extending inwards, and a flexible seal mounted on the innerface of the wall across said opening and engaging said prong and adapted to be punctured by the prong when the pressure in the sealed can increases to a predetermined. amount.

The invention is particularly intended for cans in which frozen food is packed. Such frozen foods produce gases which reach pressures above five pounds per square inch when they s'poildue to decomposition, changes in temperature, or other causes. The feature of the invention resides in the fact that a person may examine the can before using, and if the seal has been punc-' Still further the invention proposes to so arrange the pre-set pressure can that the internal pressure is controlled by the sharpness or the bluntness of the prong which punctures the seal. It is also realized that other methods of controlling the pre-set pressure are possible.

In one modified form of the invention score lines are proposed for dividing off the areaof the wall which is to be punctured in a way as to control the internal pressure. In another form of the invention an annular tubular wall with sharpened edges is proposed to engage the seal for cutting. the seal when the internal pressure of the can increases above a predetermined amount.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Figure l is a perspective view of a pre-set pressure can for frozen foods constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig.6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5. I

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary .vertical sectional view of a can constructed in accordance with another modification of this invention.

Fig. 8 is still another vertical sectional view of a can constructed in accordance with a still further modified form of the invention.

Figs. 9, 10 and '11 are similar views to Fig. 2, but illustrating various modified forms of the invention.

V Fig. 12 is another vertical sectional view, illustrating a still further modification of the invention.

The pre-set pressure can for frozen foods or the like, according to this invention, includes a can In intended to be hermetically sealed and having a wall ll formed with an opening I2 and a sharp prong I3 adjacent said opening and extending inwards. A flexible seal M is mounted upon the inner face of the wall H and across the opening I2 and engages against the prong l3 and is adapted to be punctured by the prong when the pressure in said sealed can increases to a predetermined amount.

The prong I3 is stamped from the material of the wall I! forming the opening l2. The wall I I comprises the cover for the can. It is mounted upon the can by the usual double seam joint I5. The seal M preferably comprises a sheet of thin metal or other suitable material which is attached at its edge portions M- to the underface of the wall H.

In use the frozen foods are stored in the can in usual way. In the event that the food spoils and becomes poisonous, gases will be liberated by the foods and this increases thepressure prior form in the fact that the seal I4 is of straight material having its edge portions l4 clamped in between the edge portions of the cover wall H and the edge wail of the can Id, at the double seam 15. The cover wall H is curved upwards so that the prong I13 which is stamped therefrom rests against the tap face of the seal [4. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form and like parts are identified by like reference numerals.

In Figs. 5 and 6 another embodiment of the invention is disclosed which distinguishes from the prior forms in the fact that a sheet metal member i8 is movably mounted on the seal l4 and has different areas I8, I8 l.8, etc., of difierent hardness adapted to be selectively engaged beneath The prong i3 is stamped from the prong l3. the material of the wall II. from the center.

The member I 8 is of circular formation. A pintle rivet is fixedly and hermetically mounted through the seal M and pivotally supports the movable member I8. The member i8 has several notches l9 upon its periphery into which a pointed implemcnt may be engaged for turning it. The arrangement is such that the member l8 may be turned to place a selected portion I8, if I8, etc. beneath the prong l3. In this manner it is possible to cause the 1..ong 13' o puncture the member I8 and the seal [4 at predetermined ressures. For example, the arrangement may be such that the puncturing may take place with an internal pressure in the can of five pounds per square inch, or of six pounds per square inch, etc. The can may be designed to work at other pressures. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous forms.

In the modified form of the invention disclosed in Fig. '7 the pre-set pressure can or the like includes a can Ill intended to be hermetically sealed and having a wall 2| provided with a cylindrical recessed portion 2 I having a base wall 2 I which is provided with an annular score 22 which divides off a circular area. The area within the score line 22 is a weakened area which may be severed when the internal pressure of the can rises above a predetermined amount. A seal 23 of tin-foil, or other material is mounted across the wall 2| to insure an air-tight enclosure. The seal 23 reinforces the scored area22.

A wall 24 is stationarily mounted across the wall 2|. This wall 24 is provided with 9. prong 25 stamped from the material thereof and which engages the area of the wall 2| within the score line 22.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

Should the contents of the can I0 become spoiled the internal pressure increases. This pressure will exert itself against the seal 23 and against the area of the wall il which is within the annular score 22. When a pressure sufficiently great is reached the prong 25 will puncture the wall 2|. The score 22 functions to weaken the central area of the wall 2| so that itwill readily move upwards against the prong 25.

In Fig. 8 another form of the invention has been disclosed in which the hermetically sealed can I0 is provided with a wall 26 having a cylindrical inwardly directed portion 26. The edge However, it is offset 26 of this cylindrical portion is formed with sharpened points or with sharp irregular burr edges. A seal 21 extends across the edge 26",

and at its edges is mounted upon the bottom face of the wall 26.

The rough or sharp points of the edge 24" of the cylindrical portion 26 are capable of puncturing the seal 21 when the total upward force against the sharp object reaches a predetermined pressure.

The can in accordance with this form of the invention will function as follows:

When the internal pressure in the can rises above a predetermined amount the seal 21 will be forced upwards against the sharpened edge 28". These sharpened parts will puncture the seal.

In Fig. 9 the wall II" is formed with an annular score line 29 and a sharp prong I3 is centrally supported over the scored area of the wall I l. The prong I3 is shown to project downward. ly from an outer cover 30 which may be removable or firmly held by a flange 32 over the seam joint l5 of the can, 7

In Fig. 10, tne outer cover 33' is bent downwardly at 30' and then convexed upwardly at the center area 30".

In Fig. ll the outer cover 30" is formed with-- r concave center area 30. In other respects, the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 10 and 7.; are simnar to that shown in Fig. 9 and the various parts may be recognized by corresponding reference numerals.

In Fig. 12, the can I0 is illustrated with a lower hermetically sealed wall 33 and an upper hermetically sealed wall 34, joined to the can by the usual double seam joints IS. The upper and lower walls 34 and 13 are also joined by a centrally located vertical bar 35, soldered or otherwise secured to the upper wall 34 at 35 and to the lower wall 33 at 35*. The upper wall 34 is formed with a suitable scoring 34 to divide off a center area 34" so that when the total force against the walls 33 and 34 reaches a predetermined amount, the said walls will flex as indicated by the dot and dash lines, consequently. the center area 34 will break away from the remainder of the upper wall 34 at the score line 34 and the open wall permit some of the substance to escape through the opening and thus indicate that the food within the container is poisoned.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A pre-set pressure can having a can body with an end hermetically sealed by means of a wall, an inwardly depressed portion having a circular score line of considerable depth with respect to the thickness of said wall, dividing oil a circular area, said circular score member being substantially concentric with respect to the edge of said wall, a member extended across the open top of said depressed portion, a sharp prong extended inwards from said member and engaging the center of said circular area to puncture said circular are when the pressure in said can body increases and moves said circular area towards said prong.

2. A pre-set pressure can having a can body with an end hermetically sealed by means of a wall, an inwardly depressed portion having a circular score line of considerable depth with re-.

spect to the thickness of said wail, dividing off a circular area, said circular score member being substantially concentric withrespect to the edge 5 of said wall, amemberextended across the open top of said'depressed portion, a sharp prong extended inwards from said member and engaging the center of said circular area to puncture said circular area when the pressure in said can body increases and moves said circular area towards said prong} and an auxiliary seal mounted on the bottom face of said wall andhaving a score central area in intimate contact with said circular area to move with said circular area and be punctured by said prong.

RosAIo LO V100. 

